Romans 1: 18-32 (KJV)

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Sin is man’s greatest problem. The end result of sin, without exception, is eternal spiritual death which is also called the second death. God’s solution is good news for everyone.

The Problem of Mankind

Wicked people are sinners. (Romans 1:26-28) God searches the wicked people of this world and finds that they enjoy sin. Good people are also sinners. (Romans 2:1, Romans 2:16) God’s chosen people are also sinners. (Romans 2:21-24) All people are sinners. (Romans 3:22-23)

The Solution for Mankind

Notice the key words in God’s solution:

  • “Justified” (Romans 3:24)
    When a person gets saved, their sins are placed beneath the blood of Christ. God takes them to court as a sinner but no one can find the evidence then they are declared to be innocent through the shed blood of Christ!
  • “Grace” (Romans 3:24)
    It can’t be purchased nor earned by good works; it is offered as a free gift to anyone willing to receive it.
  • “Propitiation” (Romans 3:25)
    It can refer to a satisfactory sacrifice or to the lid of the mercy seat. Christ was set forth as either and as both. He became the place where God was able to meet man, the place of blood.
  • “Remission” (Romans 3:25)
    This means to “cancel a debt or penalty.” The blood has the ability to remove the penalty of our sins, and re-attach that penalty to the person of Christ.

The Results Available to Mankind

A new position

  • We are to know that we are in Christ. (Romans 6:3)
  • We are to reckon that we are dead to sin and self. (Romans 6:11)
  • We are to yield ourselves to God. (Romans 6:13)

A new problem (Romans 7:18)

A new power

  • The power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26)
  • The power of God (Romans 8:31)
  • The power of Christ (Romans 8:35-37)

God’s Desires for Mankind

  • That we submit ourselves to the Lord as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1)
  • That we submit ourselves to God-ordained authority. (Romans 13:1, Hebrews 10:25)
  • That we submit ourselves to brotherly love. (Romans 14:10)
  • That we submit ourselves to being diligent in the church. (Romans 16:17)

The book of Romans can be condensed into this one statement: it tells us what’s wrong with us, how to fix it, and how to keep ourselves right with God. We are all in the same predicament or situation, with our destination guaranteed. But God ordained a solution to this problem of our own making.